FRANK Lampard admits Coventry City ‘lacked an edge’ in defeat at Birmingham City as the Sky Blues saw their lead cut to six points at the top of the table.
Goals from Josh Eccles and Ellis Simms proved in vain for Coventry at St Andrew’s as Marvin Ducksch netted a brace for Blues while Lewis Koumas also found the net.
Opponents Birmingham went into the fixture winless in their last seven league matches while the Sky Blues have now failed to win any of their last three games.
And Lampard felt Coventry did not produce a performance comparable to the standards his side has set this season and lacked urgency on the ball.
Lampard said: “It’s a game we should deal with. This one was on us because the game was there for us.
“It was there for us to take control, we had lots of ball but with a lack of urgency in how we moved it.
“The game was there for us to create more and do more. We should score more goals.
“I agree completely [the goals are poor to concede]. We shouldn’t concede three.
“I focus a lot on performance and it wasn’t enough from us. We’ve got to put that right.
“The way we’ve played, top of the league and what we’ve done this season, the edge wasn’t there from us and the players understand that.”
The Sky Blues also saw defender Bobby Thomas sent off in injury time for violent conduct following a clash with Birmingham’s Phil Neumann.
And Lampard insists only hard work will help the Sky Blues rediscover the form which has helped them establish a lead at the top of the division.
Lampard added: “I haven’t seen [the Bobby Thomas red card] but if he’s done something and he gets a red card then we miss him for three games.
“We’ve got to train, work, rest and go again. This season was never going to be clean. I was the first one to say it.
“People get excited when you’re in November but I didn’t and I still don’t now.
“Everyone realises that we’ve got a lot of work to do.
“The only way to get through little periods like this is to work.”
Lampard also confirmed midfielder Jamie Allen missed the match due to a close family bereavement.
The club showed their support for Allen by wearing black shirts with his name and number on during the warm-up.
Lampard said: “It’s bigger than football. Jamie is a top lad, a top player and a top professional.
“It’s a very sad time for him and you saw how much we support him.”
Coventry are next in action against Stoke City in the FA Cup on Saturday, January 10 with kick-off at 3pm at the bet365 Stadium.
